Combined camera, processing apparatus, and projector



Aug. 10, 1948. c. M. TUTTLE ETAL 2,446,668

COMBINED CAMERA, PROCESSING APPARATUS AND PROJECTOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 19, 1945 CLIFTON M. TUTTLE CHARLES J,KUNZ FORDYCE M.BRO

INVEN'I'ORS Aug. 10, 1948. c. M. TUTTLE ET AL 2,446,668

COMBINED CAMERA, PROCESS .IG

APPARATUS, AND PROJECTOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 19, 1945 w Y ///z 1/0 CLIFTON M. TUTTLE CHARLES J. K UNZ F ORDYCE M. BROWN INVENTORS BY WM ATTORNEYS 1948- c. M. TUTTLE EI'AL 2,446,668

COMBINED CAMERA, PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND PROJECTOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 19, 1945 CLIFTON M. TUTTLE CHARLES J. KUNZ FORDYCE M .BROWN IN VENT 0R5 f A'E ORNEYS Aug. 10, 1948. c. M. TUTTLE ET AL 2,446,668

COMBINED CAMERA, PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND PROJECTOR Filed June 19', 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG 8 FIGJO.

CLIFTON M. TUTTLE CIMRLES J. KUNZ FORDYCE M BROMZN INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Aug. 10, 1948.

Filed June 19, 1945 C. M. TUTTLE ET AL 6 Sheets-$heet 5 Q //0 VOLT AC.

43 FIG. 12. swarm/um W 104 126 ifiik G JOQ I 10:;

fig 132 R1 R2 LI 46 136 17 I i/R 5 Mann CV Cd 106 (MPREJSOR 109 A MOTOR I I 107 v M 111 m FIG. 13.

DEGREES or REVOLUTION Z a 2.:0 3 mun DEVELCPEI? Lag 522$: Cd VAC-WM REMUVAL wMRm/u mill/MW, CV 01 DEVELGER OFF/X5? of mm; f W F FIXING CC FLU/D CUP L/Frw- Ca FILM ADVANCE CLIFTON M. TUTTLE INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Aug. 1, 1948. c. M. TUTTLE ETAL 2,446,668

COMBINED CAMERA, PROCESSING APPARATUS AND PROJECTOR Filed June 19, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. 14.

CLIFTON M TUTTLE CS J. KUNZ F0 3 I: E M. BROWN INVENTORS iPaiente Aug. 10, 1943 u CAMERA, ruoonssnzc arra- RATUS, AND PROJECTOR Clifton M. Tuttle,

M. Brown,

Charles J. Kunz, and Fordyce Rochester, N. Y., assignors to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 19, 1945, Serial No. 600,250

21 Claims.

The present invention relates to photography, and particularly to a method and apparatus with which it is possible to photograph, process and project pictures of any phenomenon within an extremely short interval-actually, less than seconds.

Since this method and apparatus was developed specifically for recording the radar images as they appear on the cathode ray screen of a radar receiver, we will describe the present invention in connection with such a use, although it will be apparent that the invention as a whole, or the individual features thereof, are capable of a great many more general applications.

In using radar to detect the approach of distant objects a beam of signals is sent out from the antennae of a transmitter and if this beam is intercepted by an object it is reflected back toward the source and is picked up by a-receiver which includes a cathode ray tube on which the received signal appears as a bright spot of light. In one radar application the transmitting antennae is constantly rotated at a fixed rate through 360 degrees in azimuth, one rotation being referred to as a sweep," and one sweep of the antenna makes one revolution or sweep of the cathode ray tube of the receiver. If during a sweep of the antenna an object is picked up, a bright spot will appear on the cathode ray tube indicating the presence of the object. The cathode ray tube has a grid made up of concentric circles and radial lines placed thereon, generally electronically, and by plotting the point at which an object appears on this tube by the use of this grid, the direction and range of the object can be determined.

Inasmuch as these cathode ray tubes are limited in size and the image appearing thereon is rather small, and the sweep of the tube is fairly fast, it has been found that it is impossible for one person to view and take the information off of but a limited sector of the complete tube surface. For this reason it has been common practice to provide as many as ten or twelve cathode ray tubes on a single receiver which will each show the signal picked up, and to have an observer for each tube. Each observer has only a limited section of the tube face which he has to watch, and when an observer sees an image appear in his section he ascertains the. location of the same as to the grid lines on the tube and relays this information to a group of plotters plot the object on a large is an enlarged duplication who then proceed to plotting board which of the grid on the face of the cathode ray tube.

It was decided that if it were possible to photograph the surface of the cathode ray tube, process the film and project the image of the tube onto a large screen, 7 feet by '1 feet, that only one cathode ray tube would be required and ah this duplicate equipment and the personnel necessary to man it would be eliminated. To be of any use, such an apparatus had to be able to photograph a complete sweep of the tube and project the image onto the screen almost instantly, otherwise, the object being tracked would move over too great a distance during separate observations to make the system practical.

To this end, we have invented a method and apparatus by means of which a complete sweep of the cathode ray tube of a radar receiver can b photographed on a 16-min. film, the exposed film processed in less than 15 seconds, and the processed image projected, enlarged approximately 360 times, onto a screen for observation. The complete cycle from the beginning of the exposure to the time the image is projected onto a screen takes slightly less than 30 seconds, 15 seconds of which is consumed by the time of exposure which is controlled by the sweep time of the radar equipment which is used. The apparams is completely automatic in operation so that the number of persons required to operate it is reduced to a minimum.

One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which will permit the picture of a subject to be taken, processed, and projected onto a screen in an extremely short interval.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the type described which is automatic in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type set forth in which the film is fed to and from each of the exposure, processing and projecting stations in rapid suecession by a single film-feeding means which is driven by a motor and which motor constitutes the sole driving means for the complete apparatus.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus which permits the use of hot processing solutions to speed up the processing step, and in which small measured quantities of different processing solutions are successively placed on and removed from the exposed area of the film through the timed operation of a plurality of valves.

. be understood from 3 And yet another object is to provide an apparatus of the type set forth which includes safety controls which are adapted to paralyze the operation of the device should the film flood for any reason, or should the device run out of film Another object is to provide an apparatus of the typ set forth wherein the exposure, processing, and projecting stations are combined into a single compact unit of rugged construction.

The novel features that we consider characteristic of our invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, howver, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view showing a preferred Fig. 3 is a partial plan view looking down on the top of the processing cup and a portion of the film track there-adjacent,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on lines 4-4 of Fig. 3 and showing the flood switch,

Fig. 5 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and looking from the right-hand end of Fig. 1 or into the projector beam,

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail, partly in section,

the reservoirs for the processing soluthe valve mechanism. for controlling the fiow of measured quantities of the solutions into the processing cup,

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view showing the apparatus as actually set up for use in photographing the cathode ray tube of a radar receiver.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 1, and showing the projector system of the apparatus,

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 9-9 of Fig. 1, and showing the manner of lifting the processing cup prior to movement of the film,

Fig. 10 is an enlarged vertical section of a preferred embodiment of the processing cup,

Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical section taken across the film gate of the projector part Of the apparatus and showing the means for cooling,

jection thereof,

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic showing of the control circuit for the apparatus,

Fig. 13 is a cam timing chart for the apparatus,

Fig. 14 is a schematic illustration of a modification in the control circuit of the apparatus if the exposure of the film is to be controlled by a shutter. as it could be in the present application,-and

Fig. 15 is a vertical section showing another embodiment of film processing cup which could be used.

Like reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the specifications and drawings.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 7, a 16-mm. perforated film F is fed from a supply reel in in a light-tight film retort f i over a sprocket i2 into a. film track it, emulsion side up, to an exposing station and processing station. The film retort and the exposure and processing stations are enclosed in a clearly shown in Figs. 2

light-tight housing ll, one wall of which, see Figs. 5 and 7. may constitute a door It to permit access to the interior of the ,housing for threading the film through the apparatus.

At the exposure station the film is Positioned above an objective lens it which is screwed into the bottom wall of the housing II. The lens is focused on the radar screen, or cathode ray tube, shown at S in Fig. 7, and forms an image of the screen surface through the transparent film base and onto the emulsion surface of the film. As and 4, the film track i3 may comprise a lower plate I 1 having a longitudinal groove therein slightly deeper than the thickness of the film, and precisely the width of the film to confine the latter against lateral shift, said plate having a cover plate I8 lying on top thereof to form a tunnel for the film. The lower plate ll of the track is provided with an exposure aperture i9 covered by a glass plate l8: see Figs. 2 and 10, through which the image of the screen passes to the film.

The processing of the exposed area of the film is adapted to commence immediately after the exemulsion surface which has been exposed. After the cup has been moved into engagement with the film, and the exposed film constitutes a liquid-tight bottom for the cup,

' small measured quantities of two difi'erent processing solutions are successively introduced into the cup and removed therefrom and from the film surface, being allowed to remain in the cup for a given time necessary to accomplish the processing of the film.

After the exposed area of the film has been processed and the last solution used has been completely removed from the film surface, the cup is automatically raised from engagement with the film, and then a film feeding means, including a quarter-tum sprocket 80, is automatically released to feed the film by an amount suificient to advance said exposed and processed area of film into a projecting means where the image is projected approximately 360 times magnified onto a suitable viewing screen, not shown. The pmcedure is a continuous one so that any one image area remains in the projector during the time a next image into the projector gate.

With the present apparatus it takes approximately 13.5 seconds to process an exposed area of film so that if it be assumed that the sweep time of the radar screen is 15 seconds, as it is in certain applications, and this is the exposure time, then it takes 28.5 seconds to make an exposure and process it for projection, and a successive image is projected every 28.5 seconds. The time of the cycle is extended by the long exposure period, and it is pointed out that in applications of this apparatus Where instantaneous exposures are possible, then the picture could be taken and could be projected substantially in 13.5 seconds overall time.

emulsion surface of the Exposing means The film exposing means of the embodiment of the apparatus designed for use with radar. is very simple and simply comprises the objective lens it and the apertured film track which serves to hold the film flat in the focal plane of the lens. No shutter is required, but the lens is open all of the time, and the exposure time is determined by the time required in making one sweep of the radar screen and which in turn is dependent upon the sweep time of the transmitting antenna of the radar transmitter. The radar screen has the desired grid electronically impressed thereon at all times and a bright spot appears on the screen only when an object intercepts the transmitted radar beam and refiects it back to the receiver. The rotation of the spot on the grid of the screen permits the direction and range of the object to be calculated. Inasmuch as the lens is open at all times, the secondexposure of an area of film is made while the one previously made is being processed, but since the instant the developing solution strikes the emulsion surface, which is practically the instant the exposure is completed, the sensitivity of the surface to light is greatly reduced, this second exposure has little or no deleterious effect on the exposure which was first made and is being processed. As will be pointed ,out hereinafter, if it were desired, or necessary, in

certain applications of the apparatus other than in recording radar images, a shutter, or equivalent exposure determining means, could be used. In such a case, the shutter would be open just so long as necessary to make the exposure and could be closed during the processing step to preclude the danger of double-exposure possibilities. If a shutter were used, then the processin operation would be instigated in timed relation to the operation of the shutter. The.,shutter would be opened at a time when a fresh area of film is moved into its exposing position and/or when a new scene or copy, which is to be photographed comes into the field of the lens. Such a modification will be discussed more in detail below.

Processing means The processing means may be truly referred to as the heart of the present invention because it makes possible the processing of the film immediately after exposure and in a very short time. It is well known that most processing solutions operate much more rapidly at elevated temperatures. However, a limit is placed on the temperature which can be used by the rate of decomposition of the solution-that is, they can be greatly elevated in temperature for only short periods before the exposure. Since most commonly used processing methods entail heating the whole, or a substantial part of the processing bath, the temperatures which can be practically tolerated are sometimes limited. With the system of processing used in this equipment, only a very small quantity of the solution is used and then is discarded. It is, therefore, only necessary to heat that part of the chemical supply which is to be used immediately, and thus before decomposition becomes appreciable, the solution is used and discarded.

Processing operations are so much more accelerated at very high temperatures to 200 F.), that, for reproducible results, close control must be exercised over the application, timing, and removal of the solutions. This is readily accomplished with the processing apparatus we have designed and which will now be discussed in detail.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 2, 3, 9, and 10, the processing means includes the processing cup 2!), which, as best shown in Fig. 10, is open at both ends and is movable relative to the film track to move a lip 23 thereon into and out of liquid-tight engagement with the emulsion surface of the film. The cup is of such size and shape that the lip 23 encircles the area which has beenexposed. When the cup is in its operative position it rests with its lip on the surface of the film and with its axis normal to that surface. Each of the processing solutions is run into the enclosed space through the open top of the cup and is subsequently removed by passing through the slit orifice 26 located close to the film surface. The action and position of the orifice is such that the surface of the film is left free of loose or superfluous liquid.

In its simplest form the processing cup consists of two concentric cylinders 25 and 26 with a space between them forming a chamber 27 which communicates with the interior of the cup through the orifice 2t and which is closed at the other end by the threaded connection between the two cylinders. At the open (the bottom end with the present disposition of the cup) end, the outer cylinder 25 rests on the emulsion surface of the film while the inner cylinder 26 is shorter so as to form the slit orifice 24. The outer cylinder is provided with a port 28 which is connected by a tube 29 to a source of vacuum or low pressure. In the present instance this source of vacuum is the low pressure side of a conventional motor driven compressor unit C shown in Fig. 'I and mounted on the fioor next to a table on which the apparatus is supported vertically above the radar screen of a radar receiving unit. Then when vacuum is applied to chamber 21, any solution contained in the central portion of the cup will be drawn off through the slit orifice, into the chamber 21, and then into a waste liquid collecting container 3|] connected in the vacuum line 29 ahead of the compressor.

It is desirable, however, to shape the bottom of the outer cylinder of the processing cup so that it presents a knife edge which rests flat against the surface of the film, as shown in Fig. 10. Thus no corners are present in which the liquid might collect and fail to be drawn off with the bulk of the solution. The action of the knife edge and orifice close to the film surface is to allow the air stream to skim the last trace of liquid radially off the film and then to more or less dry the enclosed film surface. It is further desirable that the knife edge and film contact surface of the lip 23 of the cup, which might be damaged, be simply replaceable. One way of accomplishing this is shown in Fig. 10 wherein the lip 23 is shown as a ring separate from the outer cylinder 25 and attached to the end thereof by a threaded retaining ring 3|. In order to facilitate manufacture of the replaceable lip, and to reduce possible damage to film surfaces thereby, it has been found desirable to make the lip 23 of a plastic material (Lucite).

Small areas are completely cleared of liquid by (without vacuum) can allowing it to remain there for j gaseous simply applying a vacuum to the chamber 21! as described. Larger areas are cleared equally well, however, by directing one or more streams of air or other gas, under pressure at the center of the film to the orifice to permit uum. Furthermore,

its final removal by vacpositive pressure alone be used; however, depending on the dimensions of the unit, it may be necescient pressure and to prevent the solution being blown about during removal.

Another method of using this processing cup exists in which pressure is applied in the opposite direction to that already described, causing the air. or other gas, to skim the surface of the enclosed space radially from the edge to the center. In this case it is first necessary to remove the bulk of the solution by vacuum through another orifice close to the of convergence of the air from the surrounding slit orifice. Then the residue adhering to the from ' surface is moved radially by the air from the surrounding slit orifice to the area which is cleared by the vacuum orifice. invention is shown in Fig, 15 wherein is shown a cup composed of two concentric cylinders 25' and ll threaded together at one end and having an annular chamber 21' between them communicating with the interior of orifice 24'. It will be noticed that the film engaging lip 23' in this instance is formed integral with the outer cylinder instead of being a part separate therefrom as in the preferred embodiment.

In this case, the port 28' is adapted to be con- 3 nected with a source of high pressure, and disposed in the center of the cup is a conduit 32 which is adapted to be connected with the source of vacuum. As shown, the end of the conduit 32 is close to the area of the film surface embraced by the cup during periods of evacuation, but can be moved away from the film with the cup during periods of film movement, or it can be individually moved from the film during processing.

area to move the liquid residue close enough to close the top of the cup to maintain sufilfilm, located at the point Such a modification of the the cup through a slit so Processing solutions are stored in reservoirs disposed above the processing cup, and small measured quantities thereof are introduced into the open end of the cup in timed relation through tubes after being heated to a high temperature.

In the present instance, the processing of the exposed film is carried out by first introducing the developing solution to the cup, allowing it to remain there for a given interval, evacuating the cup, then applying a fixing solution to the cup, a given time, evacuating the cup, then rinsing with the developer solution, and finally evacuating the cup prior; to movement of the film to the projecting means.

Accordingly, referring to Figs. 2, 6, and 9, the processing apparatus includes two identical reservoirs $3 and 33' for storing developer and fixing solutions, respectively, and which reservoirs are mounted above the processing cup on a, vertical supporting bracket 35 fixed to the top of the housing It. The solutions from the respective reservoirs to the processing cup by conduits 35 and 36' which terminate in Jets 3! and 31' disposed adjacent to and above the top open end of the cup. Flow of the respective solutions from their reservoirs into the conduits is controlled by needle valves 38 and 38', the needles of which extend through the top of the reservoirs and are pivotally connected at 39 and 39' tothe plungers of solenoids 4B and 40',

are adapted to be fed respectively. The compression springs acting on 'and extent of opening of duits and, subsequently, the amount of flow into the processing cup.

To provide for heating only the small quantity of processing solution needed for a processing step. and immediately prior to using them, the following means has been designed. Each of the conduits 33 and 33' includes a metal section M, M, or other heat conducting material, which is imbedded in a metal block or heat exchanger 42. This block is heated by electric-rod heaters, indicated at 43, and maintained at a predetermined temperature (approximately F.) by means of a thermostatic regulator 44. A thermometer 45 may be imbedded in the block to indicate the temperature thereof. For processing purposes, only about one-third cc. of the processing solutions are introduced into the cup at a time, and the size of the metal sections 4|, 4| of the conduit is such that they will contain just a slightly greater volume of solution than is used for any processing step. It is pointed out that if desired the block 42 could be made of stainless steel, or other material inert to processing solutions, and then the solution can be piped directly into and out of bores in the block thus eliminating the use of the metal sections 4|, 4| of the solution conduits.

After each solution has remained on the film surface for a given time to accomplish its chemical action, and before introducing the other solution into the cup, or before advancing the processed film to the projecting means, the cup is evacuated and the film surface is freed of all superfluous liquid by vacuum in the manner to be described. As mentioned above, the port 28 of the processing cup 20 is connected to the low pressure side of a compressor unit by a vacuum line 29. This line includes a normally closed needle valve 45, mounted on the base of the housin l4, and which valve is adapted to be opened by a solenoid 46, see Figs. 1 and 2, the plunger 01' which is pivotally connected to the needle 41 of the valve. Thus the cup 20 will be connected to the vacuum supply only when the solenoid 46 is energized. The solenoids 40, 40' and 46 are automatically operated in timed relation by a timing means to be later described.

After an exposed area of film is completely processed it is directly moved into the projecting means, but, to prevent the film surface and the lip of the cup from being damaged, the cup and film must be separated prior to and during the film movement. While this step could be readily accomplished by moving the film relative to the cup, or by movin both of them relative to each other, we have found it particularly adapted to the present application of the apparatus to move the cup to and from the film which is held against lateral movement by the film track.

To this end, the cup 20 proper is mounted on the end of an elongated square tube 48 which is connected to the port 28 thereof and which forms a part of the vacuum line, see Figs. 3 and 9. Extendin from the bottom of this tube 48 is a lug 49 having pins 50 extending from both sides thereof. These pins 50 are rotatably mounted in spaced bearing blocks 5| mounted on the top of a extension 52 of the film track l3 so that the cup is pivotally supported to move to and from the film surface. Movement of the cup from the film is effected when a solenoid 58 is energized, the plunger of the solenoid being pivotally connected at M to an arm 55 extending from the lower side of the tube at the end thereof opposite the cup 20. The compression spring 58 acting on the plunger of the solenoid acts to normally move the cup 20 into its film engagin position. Thus, after the last processing solution is evacuated from the cup and before the film is advanced to the projecting means, the solenoid 53 is energized to raise the cup from the film surface, and this is accomplished automatically in proper timed relation to the steps mentioned by the timing circuit to be later described.

Projection means After the exposed area of the film is processed, it is immediately advanced into projecting position in a. projection apparatus, while at the same time a fresh area of the film is moved into position for exposure and processing, and these steps go on while the previously processed area is being projected'onto a suitable screen. Referring to Figs. 2 and 8, the projection apparatus includes a lamp-house 58 mounted on an extension 59 of the side wall of the housing M so that it is located outsideof the housing and to one side of the end wall 60 thereof. In this lamphouse there is positioned a lamp i whose filament is located below the plane of the film track. Air from a blower, not shown, is adapted to be directed into the lamphouse through a line, a part of which is shown at B2, to ventilate the lamphouse and cool the condenser lens.

Fixed in the vertical wall of the lamphouse at a point below the film gate, and in alignment with the lamp filament, there is a mount 63 containing a suitable condenser system H and a deviating prism 65 which in combination with the reflector 66 in the lamphouse form an optical system for uniformly illuminating the aperture of the film gate 61. A second optical mount 68 is fixed to the end wall of the housing It above the film gate, and this mount includes a suitable projection lens system 69 and a deviating prism it which in turn form an enlarged image of the film area in the gate and project it forwardly onto a suitable receivin screen, not shown.

Inasmuch as a relatively bright source of illumination is needed to project an image of the magnification desired, along with the fact that the exposed area of-film remains in projecting position for a comparatively long time, means must be provided for supporting the film at the gate to prevent it from catching fire or being otherwise damaged by the. intense heat. Furthermore, if the film moving into the film gate is still damp, considering that the emulsion has absorbed a certain amount of the processing so-- lutions which cannot be removed by vacuum in the processing cup, it is desirable to completely dry the film at this point before storing it. To this end a novel film gate structure has been provided by the use of which these two desired results, as well as others that we mentioned,.are obtained.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 8, and 11, the film gate of the projecting apparatus comprises a part of the film track i3 which extends through the end wall Bil of the housing i4 and which may be light trapped in any suitable manner, such' as by means of felt strips, to prevent light leaking into the housin to fog the unexposed film therein.

' The lower plate I'll of the film track is provided with a projection aperture ii over which the exposed area of film is to be positioned for projection, the top surface of said plate defining the projection plane for the film and thus forming the rear member of the film gate. The front member of the film gate consists of an openended cham'ber formed by two concentric rings 12 and I3 fastened together in a manner such that a closed space is provided between the vertical walls thereof. This chamber is located so that its axis is normal to the film plane, and the lower end thereof extends through a hole M in the top plate iii of the film track and is spaced a slight distance from the emulsion surface of the film. The chamber is of such a size and shape as to encircle and mask the area of the film to be projected.

Two small drill holes 15 through the wall of the inner cylinder, spaced 180 degrees from one another, form orifices which communicate with the top of the enclosed space. These are directed downwardly at an angle so that their center lines intersect in, or slightly above, the plane of the bottom of the chamber, see Fig. 11. Th outer rin 12 of the chamber is provided with a port 16 at a point 90 degrees from either orifice and which is connected to the high pressure side of the compressor feed by a line 11, see Fig. 7. Thus air under pressure entering the chamber is symmetrically distributed and issues from the oriflees in intersecting streams so that the resultant of the combined streams is downward, substantially normal to the film surface. The film gate design, therefore, accomplishes the following combination of effects: Air is delivered to the surface of the film for cooling during prolonged periods of projection; successful dissipation of heat results in ultra-rapid drying of the film, which reaches the projection apparatus while wet or damp; the film is pressed flat against the aperture plate of the gate by air pressure, thus obtaining a constant and repeatable film plane; dirt or oil from the compressor is blown away from the area of interest-that is, radially from the center to the edge of the area concerned; and all of these effects are obtained under space limitations (lens directly above and close to film plane) which makes the use of a single jet, normal to the surface of the film plane, impossible.

Film feeding means The apparatus includes means for advancing the film strip from the supply roll and through each of the exposing, processing, and projecting stations in succession in an intermittent, or stepwise, fashion, so that at each feeding operation a fresh area of film is moved into position for exposure and processing, and the area previously processed is moved directly into the film gate of the projection means. The dwells of the film feeding means are such as to allow the film to remain stationary long enough to efiect the exposure and the processing step, and the operation of the film feeding means is automatic and in timed relation to the exposure and processing steps.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2, and 5 the film feeding means includes a relatively large driving sprocket the teeth of which are adapted to engage the film perforations. The film is adapted to be held in driving engagement with the sprocket by means of a conventional spring-pressed guide roller assembly 8!. The drive for this sprocket comprises a constant speed electric motor M which is geared to a drive shaft 82 and a onequarter turn clutch 83 between the drive shaft and the procket. As well known, this type of clutch includes a driving member and a driven member which are connected together so that so long as the driven member is held against rotation the driven and driving members are disconnected from one another, but when the driven member is released, the two are immediately connected in driving relation. Rather than the clutch being of the well-known friction type. we prefer to use a positive engaging clutch such as those used on punch presses, or such as those including balls which are mounted in a cam slot in one clutch member and normally spring pressed into wedging position between the clutch members.

The clutch 99, therefore, includes a driving member 94 and a driven member 85 each positively fixed to the drive shaft and sprocket, respectively. There are four ratchet teeth 96 extending from the periphery of the driven member and disposed in quadrant relation thereon. A pawl 81 pivoted at 98 on the base plate of the apparatus is adapted to move into and out of a the path of the ratchet teeth 99, and when it engages a tooth it positively holds the driven member of the clutch and the sprocket and disconnects the sprocket 99 from the drive shaft. The free end of the pawl is pivoted at 99 to the plunger 99 of a solenoid 9|, the spring 92 of which normally moves the pawl into contact with the periphery of the driven member and consequently into the path of the ratchet teeth. Accordingly when the solenoid is momentarily energized the pawl is moved from the path of the tooth with which it is in engagement and is allowed then to return to its normal position to stop the sprocket after a quarter revolution. The diameter of the sprocket 99 is such that a quarter revolution thereof serves to advance an exposed area of film from the processing station into the film gate of the projector.

Rather than have the sprocket 89 pull the film directly from the supply roll I9, we have found that the tension of the film can be reduced if the film is pulled from the supply reel by the supplementary sprocket l2 mounted between the retort II and the end of the film track. The purpose of this sprocket is merely to feed the film from the retort into a supply loop 94 and from which the drive sprocket 89 pulls it. The sprocket 93 is fixed on a shaft 95 which is in turn geared to a single revolution cam shaft 96. to be described later, so that the speed of this sprocket is sufllcient to maintain the film loop.

Control circuit In order to make this apparatus automatic in operation, even to the taking of successive exposures and processing them, the following control circuit has been designed. Referring to Figs. 1, 5, and 12, the control circuit includes main lines I99 and IM which are adapted to be connected to a 110-volt A. C. source of power, and which circuit is controlled by a manual switch I92. The rod heaters 43 and a pilot lamp I93 parallel therewith are connected across lines I99 and IN with switch I94 of the thermostatic regulator 44 in series therewith. The heaters can be turned on independently of the rest of the apparatus to bring the block 42 up to temperature by closing switch I95. The pilot lamp is provided to indicate to the operator that the heaters are on, and when the light flashes on and off it is an indication that the steel block is up' to temperature and the apparatus can be used. Also connected across the lines I99 and I9I are the blower motor for ventilating the lamphouse, the projection lamp 6i. the motor for the compressor unit C, and the 12 drive motor M, each controlled by manually operated switches 99, I99, and I 91 respectively.

A line I99 connected at junction I99 with the main line II, and line 9 connected at junction III, with main line I99 comprise a solenoid, or a secondary circuit. This solenoid circuit. can be cut off from the main circuit by opening switch R: of relay R, but since this relay is normally open, the solenoid circuit is normally alive. The solenoids 49, 49, 49, 53 and 9|, previously described, are connected in parallel across the solenoid circuit, and connected in series with each is a microswitch which is normally spring pressed to a closed position but is held open by a cam having notches in its periphery to allow its associated switch to close at prescribed intervals and for given durations.

In the drawings we have designated the switch in series with the solenoid 4B controlling the vacuum line as Sv and the cam holding it open as Cv; the switch in series with the solenoid 49 controlling the valve for pouring developer as So and the cam holding it open as Cs; the switch in series with the solenoid 49' controlling the valve for pouring the fixing solution as S: and the cam holding it open as C1; the switch in series with the solenoid 93 for raising the processing cup as Sc and the cam holding it open as cc; and the switch in series with the solenoid 9| controlling the film advance as S1; and the cam for holding it open as Ca. As shown in Figs. 1 and 5 the five microswitches Sc, Sn, 8:, Se, and Sa are mounted in a line in spaced relation along the base of the apparatus adjacent the cam shaft 99, and on which each of the cams Cc, Cu, Cr. Cc, and Co. are fixed to rotate therewith. Each microswitch includes a control arm II2 which has a roller H3 on the end thereof engaging the periphery of the cam with which the switch is associated. As clearly shown in Fig. 12, each microswitch is held open by its associated cam and each cam includes one or more notches which permits the closing of its associated switch in proper timed relation and for given intervals to effect the automatic processing of an exposed area of film and the advance of the same to the projection means.

The drive for the cam shaft includes a drive shaft H4 which is geared to the drive shaft 82 through a worm wheel H5 and a worm H6. The drive shaft H4 is, therefore, constantly driven so long as motor M is operating. The cam shaft 96 is connected to the drive shaft H4 through a one-revolution clutch II! which is preferably of the same type as clutch 83 previously described. The driven member IIB of this clutch includes a notch or ratchet tooth (not shown) on its periphery which is adapted to be engaged at the end of each revolution by the nose of a pivoted pawl I29. This pawl I29 is connected to the plunger of a solenoid I2I which when momentarily energized pulls the pawl to a release position. The spring I22 of the solenoid plunger moves the pawl against the periphery of the driven member of the clutch so that it will engage and stop the same on the completion of a single revolution of the cam shaft.

It will thus be seen that during each revolution of the cam shaft 96 each of the five control cams thereon take over the automatic processing of an exposed area of film which includes the step of introducing the developer to the processing cup and allowing it to remain thereon for a given time, evacuating the developer from the cup. pouring the fixing solution into the cup, allowing it to remain therein for a given time, evacuating fixer from the cup, again pouring developer into the cup for rinsing purposes, allowing it to remain therein for a. given time, evacuating developer from the cup and drying the film, lifting the cup and advancing the film, each in the order mentioned.

In Fig. 13 the cam timing chart for this sequence of operations is shown with each of the cams shown extended along a line marked in degrees and the cam designation being indicated at the left of the chart. The hatched areas show the relative location of the notches in the several cams and their lengths in degrees which control the duration of energization of the solenoid controlled thereby, It will be noticed that the cam Ca controlling the valve in the tube to the developer supply includes two spaced notches, because developer solution is introduced into the cup twice, during each processing operation, The cam C9. controlling the valve in the vacuum line includes three spaced notches because the cup has to be evacuated three times, the last being the most extended in duration because it is at this step that the film is to be cleared of all superfluous liquid prior to being moved into the projector. The cams Cr, Co, and CB. each include only one notch apiece because during each processing step the fixing solution is introduced only once the cup is lifted onl once and the film is advanced only once. The notch in cam Ca controlling the film advance is only long enough to permit an impulse operation of the solenoid 9 I because after the uarter turn clutch 83 is released the pawl 31 must be allowed to immediately return to its locking position to again stop the sprocket BII after it has advanced the processed area of film into the film gate of the projector and has, at the same time, advanced a new area of film into exposure and processing position.

With the present arrangement, the complete processing cycle, including 1 the film advance, takes approximately 13.5 seconds, or one revolution of the cam shaft 96 takes 13.5 seconds. Therefore, since the radar equipment under consideration has a 15-second sweep time, which is the exposure time of the present apparatus, then a previously exposed area isprocessed and the film is advanced in time to allow a new exposure to be started at the beginning of a new sweep of I the radar screen. To this end, the solenoid circuit is controlled by a normally open switch I24 which is momentarily closed at the completion of each 360-degree sweep of the radar screen, or at the end of each exposure period, This can be accomplished in different ways, but w have chosen to show it done by means of a cam I25 which may be carried on the radar antenna to ro tate therewith, see Fig. 12. When the cam I25 closes switch I24 momentarily the solenoid I2I is energized long enough to pull pawl from engagement with the driven member I I3 of the one-revolution clutch I I1 and thus release the cam shaft 33 for one revolution.

To permit threading of the apparatus, and the run off of film which would be fogged during this operation, it is desirable to speed up the advance of the film, or eliminate the 15-second delay involved in the use of the input signal from the radar equipment. To this end, the switch I26 is shunted by a line containing a normall open. but manually operable steady-run switch I26 which when held closed manually will cut out the exposure cycle of 15 seconds and speed up the film advance to a 13.5-second operation. During Safety or supervisory circuit If for any reason the fllm should become flooded due to faulty operation of the processing apparatus then the processing part ofthe apparatus should be shut off and the vacuum line should be opened to clean up the solution from the film track. Also, the processing part of the apparatus should be automatically cut off when the end of the film approaches the processing cup for as soon as the film is exhausted there is nothing to close the bottom of the cup and any solution introduced thereinto would flow all over the film track.

To this end, the control circuit of the apparatus includes a safety or supervisory circuit which will cut the solenoid circuit, or all of the circuits controlling the processing steps, off the main circuit and the source of power. Referring to Fig. 12, this safety or supervisory circuit includes the secondary of a transformer I30 which is connected to the primary circuit, a flood switch II, a film switch I32 and the coil of a relay R including three switches R1, R2, and Re which assume the position shown in Fig. 12 when switches I 3| or I32 are open. When either one of the switches I3I or I32 closes, the coil of relay R is energized. This causes switch R1 to close and a hold-in circuit for the coil of the relay is completed so that even if switches I3I or I32 again open the complete apparatus has to be manually shut down to reset the circuit to its normal operating condition. At the same time switch R2 is thrown to its other pole and this cuts the solenoid circuit from the primary circult and the source of, power and causes a red pilot lamp IN to light. When switch R: closes, this connects the solenoid 46 to the main primary circuit independently of its micro-switch and this causes the valve in the vacuum line to open and stay open to clean up any flood which might have taken place on the dim track.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, one contact of the flood switch comprises a metal feeler I33 which is slidably mounted in a casing I33 of insulating material which is mounted in a vertical position on the cover plate I8 of the film track just past the processing cup 20 in the direction of movement of the film. This metal feeler is forced downwardly by a coil spring I35 so that it presses against the emulsion surface of the film adiacent the line of perforations, one being shown at P in Fig. 4. This feeler is connected into the circuit by means of a wire I36 which is connected to a metal spring retaining cap I31 screwed onto the top of the casing and directly engaging the spring. The other contact of the flood switch is the base plate III of the film track I3. long as no flood conditions exist, the plate I1 and the feeler I33 are separated by the film F which is an insulating medium and the switch is open. However, just as soon as a flood condition exists, the solution will fill the film perforations, and acting as an electrolyte will eifectively connect the feeler I33 and plate IT to close the safety circuit and energize the coil of relay R.

As shown in Fig. 2, the fllmswitch comprises a base plate I1 of the film track .and a roller I38 mounted on the end of a pivoted arm I39 normally spring-pressed into engagementwlth the plate II. The roller I88 extends through an opening I48 in the cover plate I8 of the film track and will ride on the surface of the fihn and be separated from plate l1 so long as there is film in the track. However, just as soon as the end of the film passes from under the roller I 38 then this roller will drop down onto plate I1 and close the circuit.

It is believed that the operation of the apparatus will be clear from the above description, but for the sake of review, a brief resume of the actual steps necessary to set the apparatus into operation will now be set forth. The solution heater may be turned on without turning on the main switch which supplies power to most of the circuits as well as the compressor motor. It

is well to do this before starting to load the apparatus with film, as it takes a few minutes for the heat exchanger block to'come up to temperature. When the green pilot light, in parallel with the heaters, turns oil, then on and off intermittently, the block is up to temperature.

The film is loaded in the camera, emulsion side up as it comes from the film retort. About 12 inches of film is pulled out of the retort and the squared end of the film is crimped down slightly to facilitate threading. The camera may be threaded without removing the cover plate from the film track by pushing film through, raising the developing cup by pushing down on the outer end of the cup arm, and then threading under the advancing sprocket guide rollers.

It requires about 10 development cycles to clear the fogged film out of the camera after the door of the housing is closed. This may be done by closing the "steady-run switch I25, or by tying back the cam shaft solenoid pawl I 20. Run in this manner, one cycle occurs about every 13.5 seconds. To synchronize with radar receiver, the "steady-run switch I28 is opened and switch I21 is closed. Now one development cycle will occur every 30 seconds because the cycle will include a l-second exposure period, or a complete 360-degree sweep of the radar screen, but all subsequent exposures, processing steps, and projecting steps will be completely automatic.

While we have shown this automatic recording and projecting apparatus in connection with a radar installation, it is pointed out that this is only one specific application of many which the apparatus is adapted for. The apparatus could be 'used to record and project in a short time an enlarged image of any subject or phenomenon which could not be viewed conveniently because of small size, inaccessibility, and/or falling oil of the image forming the subject. Therefore, the possible uses of this apparatus include: (1) Recordak ofllce installation for quick processing and rapid selection, (2) X-ray examination of parts in production, replacing fiuoroscopy, (3) quick recordings of cathode ray oscilloscope data. and

(4) quick examination of light-sensitive film coating.

In connection with the last-mentioned possibie application of this apparatus, it is pointed out that the physical characteristics of light-sensitive coatings on film are critical and it is now common practice to make infra red exposures in the dark coating rooms of the coatings as they leave the coating machines in order to check the operation of the coating machines. Such exposures have to be taken to the darkroom and processed in the conventional manner, and it is a matter of minutes before-the picture is ready for examination. If it is then found that the coating is unsatisfactory and that an adjustment of the machine is required to correct the difliculty, then all of the film which has been run through in the meantime has to be wasted. With the present apparatus, the taking lens could be focused on the coating path at all times and an exposure could be made at regular intervals and immediately processed to tell the story in about 15 seconds, rather than a matter of minutes. Consequently, a poor coating could be detected and corrected before any appreciable quantity of film had run through the machine and had to be thrown away. With such an apparatus, the switch I24 could be controlled by a cam operating at regular cycles and acting to turn on the infrared light to make the exposure.

In most applications of this apparatus, other than the radar use disclosed, or where the subject as a whole is present at one time and can be instantaneously exposed, the exposure will be controlled by a conventional shutter in covering relation with the taking lens, or by a set of lights which will be turned on and off the subject to effeet the exposure. In this instance, the exposure will be instigated by the positioning of a fresh film into position in the camera, or by the positioning of the copy in the field of the lens, and the processing step will be instigated at a given time after the operation of the shutter.

In Fig. 14 we have shown what modification of the apparatus would be necessary to adapt the same for the photographing, processing, and projecting of an enlarged image of a copy. The taking lens I8 is shown equipped with a conventional between-the-lens type of shutter I58 of the automatic type which is adapted to be tripped by a solenoid iii. The power to operate this solenoid may emanate from the secondary of a transformer I52 connected to the primary circuit of the apparatus, or a separate source of power may be provided. The solenoid circuit may include a normally open switch I 53 shown as a micro-switch, which is adapted to be closed by the leading end of the copy being fed into the field of the lens by any suitable means, not shown. In Fig. 14 a copy I54 is fed into the photographing field in the direction indicated by the arrow and when the leading edge I55 thereof strikes the roller I56 on the end of a pivoted arm I51, the arm is raised to close the microswitch and the solenoid I5I is energized and trips the shutter. At the same time the solenoid is energized to trip the shutter, a self-setting timer I58 of the conventional type, and connected in the solenoid circuit, is energized and the actuating member thereof would close switch I24 of the apparatus to start the processing cycle. It will be understood that the shutter will be set for a given exposure speed and the timer will be set in accordance therewith to start the processing step immediately upon the completion of the exposure. It the lighting conditions are such that the exposure could be made instantaneously (e. g. sec. or faster) then the switch I 28 could be closed simultaneously with the tripping of the shutter by the solenoid I5I, since the lag in the operation of the parts of the processing apparatus and their control circuit would probably be greater than the exposure period. This would eliminate the need for the timer I58 or its equivalent. It will thus be appreciated that the exposure time and/or time of starting the processing step could be controlled in any number of ways to make the apparatus adapted for a wide number of uses other than the radar application disclosed for purposes of setting forth the invention.

Although we have shown and described certain specific embodiments of our invention, we are aware that many modifications thereof are possible. Our invention, therefore, is not to be limited to the precise details and construction shown and described, but is intended to cover all modifications.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an apparatus of the type described the combination of a light-tight housing; means in said housing for exposing a light-sensitive film strip, and including an objective lens in the Wall of said housing, and means for holding a film strip substantiallyfiat in the focal plane of said objective; means in said housing displaced from said exposure means for rapidly processing the area of film exposed by said exposing means, and including a plurality of conduits for directing quantitles of said processing solutions to the emulsion surface of the exposed film, means associated with said conduits for heating each of said solutions to a known-elevated temperature just prior to their application to the film to speed up the processing step, means for periodically causing a volume of air to sweep across the emulsion surface of the film while in said processing position to remove a quantity of processing solution applied to the film after it has been in contact therewith for a given time; and means outside of said housing for projecting the developed image on said film onto a suitable image receiving surface, and including a film gate, a light source behind said gate and a projection lens system in front of said gate; means for intermittently feeding an unexposed film from a supply in said housing through each of said exposure, processing, and projecting means in that order; said processing and projecting means so arranged relative to one another that a frame of film immediately after processing is moved into said film gate by a single operation of said film feeding means, whereby while said frame is being projected a subsequently exposed area of film can be processed.

2. In an apparatus of the type described the combination of a light-tight housing; an exposure lens in one wall of said housing; means for positioning an unexposed film in the focal plane of said objective; means in said housing displaced from said exposing means for processing an area of film exposed in said focal plane, and includinga plurality of reservoirs of processing solutions, a

plurality of conduits for directing quantities of said processing solutions to the emulsion surface of the exposed film, means associated with said conduits for heating each of said solutions to a known elevated temperature just prior to their application to the film to speed up the processing step, means for periodically causing a volume of air to sweep across the emulsion surface of the film while in said processing position to rapidly remove a quantity of processing solution applied to the film after it has been in contact therewith for a given time; means outside of said housing and displaced from said processing means for projecting the developed image on said film onto a suitable image receiving surface, and including a film gate, a source of illumination behind said gate and a projection lens in front of said gate: a single film-advancing means for intermittently feeding a film through each of said exposure, processing, and projecting means in that order and by an amount sufllcient to advance an exposed area of film from the processing means into said film gate in one operation, and including a continuously operated driving member, a film-engaging member adapted to be driven by said driving member, a latch member normally moved to a position to positively hold said film-engaging member against movement and means for releasing said latch to permit said film-engaging member to move and advance the film.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 including means for automatically releasing said latch member at the instant the processing of the film is completed and in response to the last-used processing solution being removed from the surface of the film.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 in which a. normally closed valve is connected in each of said conduits adj acent the reservoirs of processing solutions to control, by the extent and duration of their opening, the amount of processing solution applied to the film, and means for opening and closing said valves in the proper order, by the proper amount and for the proper duration necessary to effect a processing of the exposed area of film, and said last-mentioned means being normally inoperative and automatically started in resfliifnnse to the termination of the exposure of the 5. An apparatus according to claim 2 in which the processing means includes valves in each of said conduits adjacent the reservoirs of processing solutions, and means for periodically opening said valves in succession to allow small measured quantities of said solutions to fiow from the reservoirs to said conduits, and which quantities will be allowed to flow onto the film at a subsequent operation of the valves, and said solution heating means comprising thermostatically controlled heaters in association with said conduits for heating those quantities of solutions in each of said conduits to a given elevated temperature to speed up the processing time.

6. An apparatus according to claim 2 in which the processing means includes a normally closed valve in each of said conduits; means for periodically opening said valves in succession to allow measured quantities of said solutions to flow through said conduits; an open-ended cup, one end of which is adapted to be placed in liquidtight engagement with theemulsion surface of the film and in encircling relation with the exposed area thereof, and the other end of which is adapted to receive the processing solutions issuing from said conduits. means for rapidly evacuating the solution from said cup and removing it from the surface of the film confined by said cup, said last-mentioned means being normally inoperative and operable at selected intervals; and means associated with said valve-opening means and said film-advancing means for instigating the operation of said cup-evacuating means at a given time following the openin of each valve and prior to advance of the processed film area into the film gate.

'7. An apparatus according to claim 2 in which the processing means includes a normally closed valve in each of said conduits means for periodically opening said valves in succession to allow measured quantities of said solutions to flow through said conduits; an open-ended cup, one end of which is adapted to be placed in liquidtight engagement with the emulsion surface of the film in encircling relation with the exposed area thereof, and the other end of which is adaptcup for rapidly evacuating the solution therefrom; a normally closed valve in said vacuum line; and means associated with said means for opening the valves in said conduits and said filmadvancing means for opening said valve in the vacuum line at a given time following the opening of the valve in each conduit and prior to advance of the processed film area into the film gate.

8. An apparatus according to claim 2 in which the processing means includes an open-ended cup, movable between an operative position, in which one end thereof is in liquid-tight engagement with the sensitive surface of said film and in encircling relation with the exposed area thereof, and the other end of which is adapted to receive processing solutions issuing from said conduits, and an inoperative position. in which the cup is raised from engagement with said film; means for moving said cup between said two positions; said last-mentioned means associated with said film-advancing means, whereby the cup is moved to said inoperative position immediately prior to and during the operation or the film-advancing means and is moved to, and held in, said operative position at such time as the film is stationary.

9. In an apparatus of the type described the combination of a light-tight housing; means in said housing for processing an exposed area of film, and including at least two reservoirs of processing solutions, a separate conduit connected to each reservoir for directing quantities of said solutions to the emulsion surface of the exposed film, a valve in each conduit for controlling the fiow of solutions therethrough; and open-ended processing cup movable between an operative position, wherein one end thereof is in liquid-tight engagement withthe sensitive surface of the film and encircles an exposedarea thereon, and the other end thereof is adapted to receive solutions issuing from said conduits, and an inoperative position, wherein it is raised from engagement with the film to permit the film to be moved; means for selectively connecting said cup to a. vacuum supply to evacuate the solutions theresaid nozzle comprises an annular chamber located to one side of, but adjacent, the aperture in said film track and in encircling relation to the exposed area of film-positioned over said aperture; a port in the outer wall of said chamber to which a tube from the high-pressure side of said comcombination of a. light-tight housing; means in said housing for processing an exposed area on a film strip, and including at least two reservoirs of processing solutions, a separate conduit connected to each reservoir for directing quantities of said solutions to the emulsion surface of the exposed film, a normally closed valve in each of said conduits; separate solenoids for operating each of said valves; an open-ended processing cup disposed so that the bottom is adjacent the emulsion surface of the film and the top is adapted to receive solutions issuing from said conduits; means, including a solenoid, for causing a relative movement of said cup and film between an operative position, wherein the bottom of said cup and emulsion surface of the film are in liquidtight engagement and the cup encircles the exposed area of the film, and an inoperative position, wherein the bottom of the cup and surface of the film are separated to permit an advance of the film without injuring the emulsion surface; a tube for connecting said cup with a vacuum for evacuating the solution therefrom; a normal ly closed valve in said tube; a solenoid for opening said valve; means for intermittently advancing said film from said processing means directly to said projecting means at a, single operating from; a projecting means outside of said housing and including an apertured film track across which the film passing through. the processing means is adapted to be moved, means on one side of said track, and in optical alignment with said aperture, for illuminating an exposed area of film aligned with said aperture, a projection lens at the other side of said track for projecting an image on said film onto a suitable receiving surface, a nozzle located adjacent the aperture in said track and between said illuminating means and projection lens for directing a blast of air onto the surface of that portion of film in position for projection and for the dual purpose of cooling the same and holding it fiat on said apertured track; a constantly driven compressor, means for connecting the low pressure side of said compressor to said processing cup, means for connecting the high-pressure side of said compressor to said nozzle; and means for intermittently advancing said film from a supply to said processing station and thence to said projecting means, said means being such that in a single operation a, processed exposed area is fed from said processing means into a position for projection, whereby the film area in question is projected immediately after processing.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 in which stroke and normally locked against operation, a solenoid for releasing said film-advancing means; means for operating said solenoids in proper sequence and for selected durations, whereby immediately prior to and during the advance of the film said processing cup and film are separated, a given time after the film had been advanced the valves in the separate conduits and in the vacuum tube are operated in succession and for given intervals to eifect a processing of the exposed area of film, and after the film is processed the film-advancing means is released to cause said processed film to be moved into said projection position, said last-mentioned means including a switch in series with each solenoid, a cam shaft and means for rotating the same, and a plurality of cams on said shaft for operating said switches in timed relation.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 including an exposure station in said housing, comprising an objective lens in the wall of said housing, and into the focal plane of which an unexposed area of the film strip is fed by said filmadvancing means, means for subjecting said film while stationary to a given exposure of light through said objective, means tending to continuously drive said cam shaft, releasable means normally acting to positively hold said shaft against rotation and adapted to allow the shaft one cycle of operation after being initially released before again stopping it, and means actuated in timed relation to the instigation of said exposure of the film for momentarily releasing said cam shaft holding means.

an i 13. An apparatus according to claim 11 in which the driving means for said cam shaft includes a constantly driven shaft. a tendency clutch between said shafts; a releasable pawl adapted to engage a stop on the driven member of said clutch to stop the same, said pawl normally moved into a clutch-disengaging position: and said apparatus including an exposure station in said housing comprising an objective lens in one wall of said housing into the focal plane of which an unexposed area of the film strip is adapted to be red by said film-advancing means, a normally closed shutter covering said objective. means for actuating said shutter to make an exposure; and means operated simultaneously with said shutter for causing said pawl to be momentarily moved from its normal position a given time after the actuation or said shutter. W

it. An apparatus according to claim ll'in.

which each of said solenoids is connected to a source of potential through a switch and which switches are in turn controlled by said cams: and m for cutting od all of the solenoids from their source of potential with the exception of the solenoid which opens the valve in said vacuum line which is connected to a source of potential thereby when the film track becomes flooded by any improper function of the processing means.

15. An apparatus according to claim 11 in which each of said solenoids is connected in parallel in a primary circuit adapted to be connected with a source oi potential; a switch in series with each of said solenoids for connecting and disconnecting the same to said primary circuit; each of said switches arranged to be operated by separate ones of said cams which in turn control the time and duration of closing of each switch; a normally closed switch in one line oi said primary circuit adapted when opened to cut on from the source of potential all solenoids except the one controlling the valve in the vacuum line; a control circuit including a source of potential and a relay adapted when energized to open said normally closed switch in the primary circuit; and a normally open flood switch in said control circuit in series with said relay adapted to complete said control circuit when the adjacent the processing cup becomes flooded for any unforeseen reason.

16. An apparatus according to claim 11 in which each of said solenoids is connected in parallel in a primary circuit adapted to be connected with a source of potential; 9. switch in series with each of said solenoids for connecting and disconnecting the same to said primary circuit; each of said switches arranged to be operated by separate ones of said cams which in turn control the time and duration of closing of each switch; a normally closed switch in one line of said primary circuit adapted when opened to cut on from the source of potential all solenoids except the one controlling the valve in the vacuum line; a control circuit including a source of potential and a relay adapted when energized to open said normally closed switch in the primary circuit; and a normally open flood switch in said control circuit in series with said relay adapted to complete said control circuit when the film adjacent the processing cup becomes flooded for any unforeseen reason and a normally open switch in said control circuit in parallel with said flood switch and adapted to be closed by said relay whereby said relay is held in and the primary circuit is paralyzed thereby until said relay is out ch from its source of potential by a manually operable switch.

17. An apparatus according to claim 11 including in said light-tight housing for storing a supply of film, and means for directing said film from said supply over agiven path and tosaid r means; and in which each oi said solenoids is connected in parallel in a primary circuit adapted to be connected with a source of potential; a switch in series with each oi said solenoids for connecting and disconnecting the same to said primary circuit; each of said switches arranged to be operated by separate ones of said cams. which in turn control the time and duration of closing of each switch; a normally closed switch inone line of said primary circuit adapted when open to cut off from the source of potential all solenoids except the one controllihg the valve in the vacuum line; a control circuit including a source of potential and a relay adapted when energized to open said normallyclosed switch in the primary circuit;

and a film switch in said control circuitin series with said relay held open by a feeler engaging the surface of the film strip passing from the supply to said processing means at a point in the film path in advance of said processing means, whereby an absence of him beneath said ieelerallows said film switch to close, whereupon said relay-is excited and the primary circuit is w t thereby.

it. an apparatus accor to claim 11 inclu means in said light-tight housing for storing a supply of film, and means for directing said film from said supply over a given path and to said processing means; and in which each of said solenoids is connected in parallel in a primary circuit adapted to be connected with a source of potential; a switch in series with each of said solenoids for connecting and disconnecting the same to said primary circuit; each of said switches arranged to be operated by separate ones of said cams which in turn control the time and duration of closing of each switch; a normally closed switch in one line of said primary circuit adapted when open to cut off from the source of potential all solenoids except the one controlling the valve in the vacuum line; a control circuit including a source of potential and a relay adapted when energized to open said normally closed switch in the primary circuit; and a 1i" 1:- switch in said control circuit in series with said relay held open by a feeler engaging the surface of the film strip passing from the supply to said processing means at a point in the film path in advance of said processing means, whereby an absence of film beneath said feeler allows said film switch to close, whereupon said relay is excited and the primary circuit is paralyzed thereby, and a hold-in circuit for said relay in parallel with said film switch necessitating a manual operation of a switch for disconnecting 7 said relay from its source of potential before the primary circuit can be reset to its normal operating condition.

19. An apparatus according to claim 11 including means in said light-tight housing for storing a supply of film. and means for directing said film from said supply over a given path and to said processing means; and in which each of said solenoids is connected in parallel in a primary circuit adapted to be connected with a source of potential; a switch in series with each of said solenoids for connecting and disconnecting the same to said primary circuit; each or said switches arranged to be operated by separate ones of said cams which in turn control the time and duration of closing of each switch; a normally closed switch in one line of said primary circuit adapted when open to cut oil! from the source of potential all solenoids except the one controlling the valve in the vacuum line: a control circuit including a source of potential and a relay adapted when energized to open said normally closed switch in the primary circuit; and a film switch in said control circuit in series with said relay held open by a feeler engaging the surface of the film strip passing from the supply to said processing means at a point in the film path in advance of said processing means, whereby an absence of film beneath said feeler allows said film switch to close, whereupon said relay is excited and the primary circuit is paralyzed thereby, and a normally open flood switch in said control circuit in series with said relay and in parallel with said film switch adapted to close said control circuit when the film adjacent the processing cup becomes flooded for any unforeseen reason.

20. In an apparatus for taking, processing, and projecting a picture of a subject in rapid succession and comprising in combination a light-tight housing; an objective lens in one wall of said housing; a supply roll of'unexposed film mounted in said housing; means for directing said strip of film through, and holding it flat in, the focal plane of said lens; means for instigating an exposure of said film at a preselected time; a processing means in said housing and including an open-ended processing cup, means for directing the exposed film strip past the bottom end of said cup and at substantially right angles to the axis thereof, means for causing a relative movement between said cup and film between an operative position, wherein the bottom end of said cup and the emulsion surface of said film are in liquidtight engagement with said cup encircling a. previously exposed area of said film, and an inoperative position, wherein said cup and film are separated to permit advancement of the film strip; at least two conduits connected at one end to separate reservoirs of different processing solutions and having their other end disposed to discharge into the top end of said processing cup, a normally closed valve in each conduit; a separate means for opening each valve for causing the discharge of a given quantity of the processing solutions to the processing cup; selectively operated means for evacuating the solutions from said cup when desired; a projecting means outside of said housing and including a film gate through which said film strip is fed directly from theprocessing means and in which a previously exposed and processed area of the film stri is adapted to be located; a source of illumination to one side of said gate; a projection lens system on the other side of said gate; means for feeding said film strip stepwisefrom the supply roll and through-each ,of said exposure, processing, and projecting means in that order and in succession said film-feeding means being normally inoperative and adapted to feed the filmstrip by the required amount upon being momentarily released: and means for controlling the timed operation of each of said film-feeding means, said means for relatively'moving the processing cup and film between their two positions, said valves in said conduits, and said cup evacuating means; said controlling means including a primary cirtherein and each adapted when energized to control the operation of a different one of said listed parts of the processing means and film-advancing means; a cam-controlled switch in series with each of said solenoids, a separate cam for controlling the operation of each switch, each of said cams adapted to be simultaneously driven by a common drive member, a tendency drive including a single revolution clutch for said drive member, means normally disengaging said clutch, a solenoid for engaging said clutch, an energizing circuit for said solenoid, a normally open switch in said energizing circuit, and means acting in response to a given signal for momentarily closing said switch to set the apparatus in operation.

21. In an apparatus of the type described the combinatiop of a light-tight housing; an exposure lens in one wall of said housing; means for positioning an unexposed film in the focal plane of said objective; means in said housing for processing an area of film exposed in said focal plane including at least two reservoirs of different processing solutions, a separate conduit connected with each reservoir for directing the different processing solutions onto said film; a normally closed valve in each conduit adjacent the reservoir, means for periodically opening said valves in succession so as to allow measured quantities of the solutions to flow from said reservoir into said conduits and thereby force a previously introduced quantity from the conduits onto the film; and a block of heat-conducting material embracing a length of said conduits displaced from said reservoirs and adapted to contain the volume of solution necessary to process the exposed area of film; and thermostatically controlled means for heating said block of material to. and maintaining it at, a given elevated temperature; means for rapidly removing a quantity of processing solution applied to the film after it has been in contact therewith for a given time; means outside of said housing for projecting the developed image on said film onto a suitable receiving surface, and including a film gate, a source of illumination behind said gate and a projection lens in front of said gate; a single film-advancing means for intermittently feeding a film through each of said exposure, processing, and projecting means in 7 that order and by an amount sufllcient to advance cult having a plurality of solenoids connected an exposed area of film from the processing means into said film gate in one operation, and including a continuously operated driving member, a flimengaging member adapted to be driven by said driving member, a latch member normally moved to a position to positively hold said film-engaging member against movement and means for releasing said latch to prevent said film-engaging member to move and advance the film.

CLIFTON M. TU'I'I'LE.

CHARLES J. KUNZ.

FORDYCE M.'BROWN.

vREFERENCES CITED The following references are of .record in the file of this patent: i

f UNITED-STATES PATENTS 

